To an Old Lady Seen at a Guesthouse for Soldiers
Quiet thou didst stand at thine appointed place,
There was no press to purchase—younger grace
Attracts the youth of valour. Thou didst not know,
Like the old, kindly Martha, to and fro
To haste. Yet one could say, “In thine I prize
The strength of calm that held in Mary’s eyes.”
And when they came, thy gracious smile so wrought
They knew that they were given, not that they bought.
Thou didst not tempt to vauntings, and pretence
Was dumb before thy perfect woman’s sense.
Blest who have seen, for they shall ever see
The radiance of thy benignity.